"Celebrating Creation"© Prayer Beads

The “Celebrating Creation” prayer beads encourage us to “give glory and praise to our God, who made the heavens and earth.” At this time in our planetary history, it is vital to our survival on this Earth to bring a concern for all of nature into our daily, spiritual life. These prayer beads may be one way to deepen our sense of oneness with the whole earth community and empower us to make necessary changes for the survival of all in God’s creation.

The prayer beads cost $8.00 per set plus $2.00 mailing costs for 1-3 sets. A bulk rate is available by contacting B.J. Schlachter (see below).  A check should be made out to St. John Fisher Chapel University Parish and mailed to 626 Longfellow Troy, MI 48085. Other arrangements can be made by contacting B.J. Schlachter at the above address or email  bjs-ams@prodigy.net.

Prayer Suggestions for Prayer Beads
 

All I Do Today

May all I do today be for the healing of the whole
May all I do today mend our broken world.
May all I do today bring blessing on the earth.
May all I do today be for the good of all.
All I do today.

By Jan Novotka, from her CD and tape, “In The Name of All That Is,” (570) 347-2431. reprinted with permission.

The holding/touching of each bead is a tactile reminder of the present moment and helps one shift into a consciousness that is receptive to prayer. Create a mantra that can be repeated such as a chant, a brief sentence, or – like above -- a favorite stanza from a song. A suggested mantra prayer might be:

I am this Earth,
the Earth is me,
we are to be in harmony.

    Prayer Beads

These beads go in your pocket
Or tucked within your palm
Or wrapped around your fingers
Embracing calm.

For prayer and meditation
Celebrating our good Earth
From the dawn of its creation
To our birth.

Each segment spans a timeframe
Up to a billion years
Or for your personal reflection
Allaying fears.

If the Spirit moves you closer
To the mysteries of life
Then these beads can bring you comfort
From life’s strife.

Meditations

To meditate, picture in your mind the Creator of All, see the destruction of Earth and the role of humans in that destruction, and find hope in the small steps being taken by millions to heal ourselves, to heal the Earth. Suggestions are:

• Let each bead represent memories of the special times you have been connected with Nature. Feel gratitude for all the wonder-filled mysteries of nature (i.e. blossoming of flowers, migration of birds, the seasons, diversity in nature, water bubbles, fireflies, photosynthesis, corn, trees…). Thank God for the gifts of the Earth and the precious gift of life.

• Let each bead represent a form of destruction that is occurring (i.e. the clear-cutting of forests, extinction of species, toxic chemicals, acid rain, polluted water, global warming, hunger, war, urban sprawl…). How does your buying habits and consumption patterns affect the earth’s resources?

• Let each bead represent ways that we can heal the earth (i.e. carpooling, solar energy, compassion, organic gardening, recycling, wetlands restoration, joining an earth advocacy organization, thinking of the common good…). How can you respond to these?

Symbolism Of The Beads

The fourteen handmade, clay beads represent the 13.7 billion years of God’s creative energy in the Universe. Four of those beads also represent the four seasons:

• Spring -- (greens/yellow) time for new life, growth and possibilities;

• Summer -- (reds/ orange) time to “fire up” for fun and creativity;

• Autumn -- (browns/orange) time to harvest and prepare;

• Winter -- (white/black/lavender) time for reflection, seek direction, simplify,
  and set new goals.

The four beads could also represent the four directions or the four basic elements
(fire, water, air, and earth). The small connector beads represent the colors of the rainbow and the diversity found throughout creation.

The one wooden bead represents “God” as you wish to image the Creator of All. A symbol of your “God” can be drawn on it with a permanent ink marker. There are no connector beads between the wooden bead and the clay beads because “God” is not separated from God’s creation.

Charms could be added as representing natural subjects that you want to love and protect (i.e. animals, fish, sun, moon, trees, flowers, stars, humans…)